family & marriage

Facts

The sanctity of marriage is at the center of today's culture war in America. Social conservatives see marriage being attacked by a disintegration of family values and by the advent of gay marriage. Others claim that marriage is making a bit of a comeback and that gay-marriages, rather than harming the santity of marriage, reinforce it.

General

How many Americans are married:

  • 120.2 million Americans are married (2000) (54% of population 15 years +) (Census).

Percent of couples that are unmarried. Unmarried couples that live together (NORC) make up:

  • 1997: 7% of all couples; 4.1% of all families
  • 1990: 5.1% of all couples; 3.1% of all families
  • 1980: 3.1% of all couples; 2% of all families

Same sex couples

Number of unmarried same sex couples living together in the US (Census):

  • 777 thousand (0.7% of all households) - compared to 5.2 million unmarried heterosexual households.

Gender of unmarried couples. Of the 5.5 million unmarried couples that lived together in 2000 (Census)

  • 87.4% were male/female couples;
  • 6.4% were both males;
  • 6.2% were both females.

Number of same-sex couples that have married (in Massachusetts, the only state that currently permits same sex marriage):

  • 8,000 (AP)

Divorces

Adults who have married and divorced (NORC):

  • In 1998: 26% of all adults, 33% of those who have been married;
  • In 1990: 25% of all adults, 31% of those who have been married;
  • In 1980: 18% of all adults, 21% of those who have been married.

Number of men divorced by 40 years old among: (Census)

  • 65-70 year-olds: 23%
  • 60-65 year-olds: 27%
  • 55-60 year-olds: 31%
  • 50-55 year-olds: 31%
  • 45-50 year-olds: 26%

Number of women divorced by 40 years old among: (Census)

  • 65-70 year-olds: 23%
  • 60-65 year-olds: 27%
  • 55-60 year-olds: 33%
  • 50-55 year-olds: 35%
  • 45-50 year-olds: 32%

Kids

Of families with children, those that are headed by married couples (DOS):

  • 1998: 72.7%;
  • 1980: 80.5%.

Children born to unmarried mothers (NORC):

  • 1996: 32.4% of all children;
  • 1990: 28% of all children;
  • 1980: 18.4% of all children.

Children who lived with married parents (NORC):

  • 1998: 64% of all children (12% live with remarried parent)
  • 1990: 74% of all children(18% live with remarried parent)
  • 1980: 74% of all children(13% live with remarried parent)

How are kids doing? One indicator: illicit drug use of 12th graders (ChildStats):

  • 1998: 25.6%
  • 1990: 17.2%
  • 1980: 37.2%

Where the fact are from:

Did we miss something, let some slant slip in, lose a link - or do you just have something to say? Drop a line below! In the spirit of open dialogue, cJ asks you keep it civil, keep it real and keep it focused on the message, not the messenger. See our policy page for more on what that all means.

Posted In
Home ยป social issues